Focus Areas

EndHepCMA is currently channeling efforts within five areas crucial to meeting our collective goal of Hepatitis C elimination in Massachusetts. If you are interested in working on one of these issues as it relates to viral hepatitis, please submit the membership agreement form and select the corresponding committee.

Insurance Access

The Coalition has prioritized insurance accessibility and is working to expand Hepatitis C treatment access for those in need. The Coalition played an essential role in the removal of liver fibrosis, sobriety, and prescriber restrictions from MassHealth Managed Care Organizations, and is committed to eliminating barriers in the private insurance market as well. If you would like to be involved in this effort, please fill out the membership form and select ‘Insurance Access’ under the list of committees.

This committee is currently focusing on tracking and cataloguing insurance experiences to ensure treatment access. To submit you experience or join this committee please contact Phil Waters at pwaters@law.harvard.edu.

Harm Reduction and Prevention

EndHepCMA is committed to the state-wide expansion of screening and prevention services to stem the rising prevalence of Hepatitis C. Recognizing the structural barriers that limit access to care, the Coalition promotes a person-focused, harm reduction model to serve each individual and achieve public health goals. The Harm Reduction and Prevention Committee is charged with facilitating the expansion of access to these services.

This committee is currently working to support Syringe Service Program expansion across the Commonwealth. To get involved with this effort please contact Lexi Schneider at aschneider@bhchp.org.

Corrections

With an estimated 1500 Hepatitis C cases in Massachusetts State Prisons (2015), there is a growing need for treatment access reform for incarcerated individuals as it relates to Hepatitis C. The expansion of screening, education, and treatment for incarcerated individuals will be crucial in curtailing the epidemic in this high risk population. Recognizing many of the structural barriers to care within corrections, the Coalition will assess the leverage points and advocate policies increasing access and treatment for incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts.

This committee is currently assessing the leverage points for HCV testing, education, and treatment in Corrections. To get involved please contact Lindsay Ventura at lventura@liverfoundation.org.

Awareness, Engagement, and Empowerment

With nearly a quarter million Massachusetts residents living with chronic Hepatitis C, and a majority unaware of their status, pubic awareness and engagement around Viral Hepatitis is crucial to connect people to care. The MVHC is committed to increasing public visibility of the Hepatitis C epidemic, and raising awareness around access to testing and treatment options.

This committee is currently designing an awareness campaign aimed at youth and people who use drugs to communicate the benefits of testing and accessibility of treatment. To get involved with this effort please contact Larry Day at lday@vpi.org or Jo Solet at joanne_solet@hms.harvard.edu.

Screening

Recognizing the complex disease burden of viral hepatitis, the Coalition advocates a wider and more targeted screening process to connect individuals to care. With an emphasis on reaching the “at risk” baby boomer population, many of whom are unaware of their status, the Coalition focuses on developing innovative tools and improving existing electronic medical record systems to screen and treat this population.

This committee is working to advocate for a screening policy inclusive of all adults, irrespective of risk factors. To get involved with this effort please contact Cami Graham at cgraham@bidmc.harvard.edu.